26–29 October 2026
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| Last week in Parliament no. 209 [PDF 151KB] |
House of Representatives
Bills initiated in the House
The following new Bills were initiated:
- Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026 – introduced 27 October 2026, Government Bill
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 4) Bill 2026 – introduced 27 October 2026, Government Bill
- Agriculture Legislation Amendment (Biosecurity and Export Control) Bill 2026 – introduced 28 October 2026, Government Bill
- Competition and Consumer Amendment (AER Inquiry Powers) Bill 2026 – introduced 28 October 2026, Government Bill
- Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2026 – introduced 28 October 2026, Government Bill
Explanatory memoranda are available on the Bill page.
New inquiries of House Committees
No new inquiries were announced.
Reports of House Committees
The following new reports were tabled:
Appropriations and Administration Committee
- Report No. 36: Annual Report 2025–26 – tabled 29 October 2026
Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee
- Report concerning a subpoena issued by the Federal Court of Australia and possible issues of parliamentary privilege – tabled 29 October 2026
Selection Committee
- Report No. 18 – tabled 28 October 2026
Senate
The Senate did not sit last week.
Bills initiated in the Senate
No new bills were initiated.
New inquiries of Senate Committees
No new inquiries were announced.
Reports of Senate Committees
The following new reports were tabled:
Environment and Communications References Committee
- Artificial intelligence and data centres progress report – tabled out of session 20 October 2026
- Australia Post retail network second progress report – tabled out of session 20 October 2026
Joint Committees
New inquiries of Joint Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Defence Committee
- Review of the Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026 – submissions due 3 November 2026
Public Works Committee
- Department of Defence—Armoured Fighting Vehicles Facilities program—Stage 3 – submissions due 14 December 2026
Reports of Joint Committees
The following new reports were tabled:
Intelligence and Security Committee
- Advisory report on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reform package 2026 – tabled out of session 21 October 2026 (Senate), 27 October 2026 (House)
Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee
- Strengthening Australia's trade and investment relations with the countries of Africa – tabled out of session 19 October 2026 (Senate), 29 October 2026 (House)
National Anti-Corruption Commission Committee
- Report on proposed recommendations for appointments to the National Anti-Corruption Commission – tabled out of session 20 October 2026 (Senate), 29 October 2026 (House)
Public Accounts and Audit Committee
- Report 519: Inquiry into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme – tabled 28 October 2026
Public Works Committee
- Report 6/2026 – tabled 27 October 2026
Laws passed
As at the close of business on Friday 30 October 2026, no new Bills have passed both Houses and are awaiting assent by the Governor-General.
Between the close of business on 16 October 2026 and 30 October 2026, the following Bills received assent by the Governor-General:
- Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026
- Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Iran and Syria) Bill 2026
- Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2026
- Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026
- National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026
- Sport Legislation Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Implementation) Bill 2026
- Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026
- Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment (National Student Ombudsman Levy) Bill 2026
- Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026
Explanatory memoranda are available on the Bill page.
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